As I posted on FaceBook, I have no idea why it's taken me so long to discover The Saint. I've long been aware of him. He's frequently mentioned in the mystery fact books that I've perused. I even know about the series starring Roger Moore. And I've had this omnibus of Saint stories for...as some of my British mysteries might put it...donkey's years. Just never cracked it open.
These stories are delightful. A modern-day Robin Hood taking from the crooks and swindlers and giving back to the swindled. The most recent story, "The Appalling Politician," is worth it just for the opening pontification by said politician. And Leslie Charteris swears that it's a verbatim rendition of an actual speech heard during the '30s with only a change of name, occasion, and the sport referenced. And in the story before that, "The Unblemished Bootlegger," no revenge was ever more suitable than that which the Saint visited upon Mr. Melford Croon.
The breezy, understated wit of these stories is what really reels me in. And, joy of joys, I sill have over half the collection to go.
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1 comment:
I never knew that the TV series was based on a book!
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